By signing Humber, Astros get a pitcher with deep Texas roots

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Philip Humber grew up a Texas Rangers fan, but the Astros always were in his life.

He vividly remembers family trips to the Astrodome. A signed team ball from the Astros’ golden era highlights the memories, with autographs by former stars Craig Biggio, Glenn Davis and Bill Doran linking Humber to his Texas roots.

Now, the kid who grew up watching the Astros has become one.

The Astros claimed the veteran pitcher off waivers Friday, then signed the former Chicago White Sox righthander to a one-year deal with a 2014 team option. Humber, 29, is expected to compete for a starting spot in the back end of the rotation.

The boy who grew up in Nacogdoches, attended Carthage High School, starred at Rice and threw a perfect game April 21 for the White Sox has a strong chance to rack up quality starts for the rebuilding Astros in 2013.

All Humber has to do is stay healthy, consistently toss his four major league-quality pitches, and master the confidence that swayed in and out during a life-changing 2012 season with Chicago.

“Last year was a huge learning experience for me. … I kind of got bogged down mentally a little bit about baseball and really couldn’t get out of that rut,” said Humber, who lives with his family in Tyler. “But you learn more from the hard times than from the good times. Hopefully I’ll use that to make myself better.”

Humber went 5-5 with a 6.44 ERA in 26 games (16 starts) last season. The 6-3, 210-pounder owns a 16-15 career record with a 4.87 ERA through seven major league seasons, including stints with the New York Mets, Minnesota and Kansas City.

“As soon as we saw his name on the (waiver) wire, we knew what we were going to do. … We think he’s potentially a real solid piece of our rotation next year,” said Astros general manager Jeff Luhnow.

Humber retired 27 consecutive batters last April during the White Sox’s 4-0 victory over Seattle, becoming only the 21st pitcher in major history to record a perfect game.

But arm trouble and self-created pressure plagued him, and he views the Astros as a clean slate.

Humber will pitch home games with his wife, 7-month-old boy and extended family within a 200-mile driving distance. And Humber can sign baseballs, just like the Astros players did for him as a kid.

“It’s something you think about breaking into professional baseball: ‘Oh man, it’d be cool to play for a team close to home.’ But you never think it’s actually going to happen,” Humber said. “It’s exciting. My family’s super excited about it and I am, too.”

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Philip Humber

Position: Pitcher

Throws: Right

Vitals: 6-foot-3, 210 pounds

Age: 29

2012 stats: 5-5, 6.44 ERA, 85 K, 44 BB, 102 IP

Career: 16-15, 4.87 ERA, 80 G, 44 starts

Teams: New York Mets, Minnesota, Kansas City, Chicago White Sox

College: Rice

Draft: No. 3 overall pick in 2004

Resides: Tyler

Did you know? Humber threw the 21st perfect game in MLB history in April. He was also part of the Owls’ 2003 national championship team.